The passage seems to argue
- (a) against the monopoly of builders and the interests of elite groups.
- (b) against the need for global and smart cities.
- (c) in favour of planning cities mainly for working class and poor people.
- (d) in favour of participation of peoples' groups in city planning. ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• The passage says our cities are planned through the static Development Plan, which draws only on technical expertise and is distanced from people's lived experiences and needs.
• It adds that this plan actively excludes large numbers of people, places, activities and practices that are an integral part of the city.
• The remedy the passage points to is bringing people into the planning process, which is option (d).
• It does not discuss builders or elite groups (a) or smart cities (b), and it asks for planning that includes people, not planning mainly for one class (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) against the monopoly of builders and the interests of elite groups.
- The passage does not mention builders, elite groups, or their monopoly, focusing instead on the planning methodology and exclusion of the general public.
- (b) against the need for global and smart cities.
- The text does not discuss global cities or smart cities, but rather critiques the static nature of current development plans.
- (c) in favour of planning cities mainly for working class and poor people.
- While the passage mentions the neglect of working and poor people, it argues for inclusive participation of all excluded groups, not exclusively for the working class and poor.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.